Actress claims she faced police apathy in 2010

Following nationwide alarm over increasing crimes against women and the police being dragged into the eye of the storm for allegedly not doing enough to ensure such crimes do not happen, Marathi stage actress came forward to narrate an incident she claims shows utter apathy on the part of the city police in June 2010.

Rajani Bhat, a well-known Marathi stage, actress claims personnel of the Deccan police station blatantly refused to file an FIR though she had written a complaint stating that two unidentified bikers had attempted to rob her in June 2010.

Bhat said that if the authorities are not cooperative, then women will not come forward to seek help when the situation demands police intervention.

Bhat said that two bike-borne persons attempted to snatch her purse containing Rs 15,000 and two mobile phones.

“I had boarded an auto rickshaw at 3 am and two persons on a bike started tailing the vehicle. They tried to snatch my purse, but I retaliated and they were

unsuccessful,” Bhat said, adding that she then approached the Deccan police station to file a complaint.

“The officials at the station refused to file an FIR and insisted that I give it in writing that nothing had happened. The experience raised serious questions regarding the safety of security of women staying in the city,” Bhat said.

Her sister Aruna Bhat, who is also a well-known stage actress, said, “We are deeply hurt by the insensitivity shown by the police. The same two accused had been arrested in a robbery case, but still nothing has happened.”

Gulabrao Pol, Pune City Police Commissioner gave assurance that the actress’s case would be registered. “She can come forward and file an FIR. I have also given written instructions to all the police stations stating that no complaints filed by women and girls should be ignored. In fact, each and every complaint should be registered properly,” Pol said.